Chapter 151

Chapter 151
## Thousand Li Plain (2)

“I recognize that cry… I’ve encountered that wolf’s howl in the past.”

The attention of Sword Demon Dragon and his companions shifted instantly toward the man who had spoken.

“You’ve heard it? Clarify what you mean by that.”

Sword Demon Dragon’s demand was directed at Suk Ji Hwang, the Deputy Leader of the Wind Demon Platoon. The man was listening to the echoing cries with a look of grim intensity. His words came out with a slight shiver.

“A howl of that magnitude and duration—I have only witnessed it once in my life.”

“And when was that?”

Joo Seung Geon asked sharply, unable to mask his impatience.

“Years ago, during a joint operation alongside the Divine Demon Division. I heard it ripple across the battlefield then. To the enemy, that wolf’s cry was nothing less than a herald of their demise.”

“The… Divine Demon Division?”

Joo Seung Geon’s voice cracked as he repeated the name in a state of stunned agitation.

“There is no doubt. It is the cry of Heuk Rang, the wolf that serves as the emblem of the Divine Demon Division. Their Leader is present on this field.”

“Are you certain of this?”

“I am positive.”

“Ha! To think the Divine Demon Division Leader, whom we had lost all track of, would emerge here of all places. If your assessment is correct, we have plummeted into the worst possible scenario.”

Sword Demon Dragon let out a low, frustrated sound as he looked toward the direction where agonizing screams were beginning to saturate the air.

“Standing still is no longer an option; we must act immediately. If the Ha Hu Clan makes their appearance now, the situation will become truly unmanageable. This must be settled before their arrival.”

Sword Demon Dragon gave a resolute nod in response to the words of Ghost Soul Fist. He turned his focus to Joo Seung Geon to issue a command.

“Direct the Wind Demon Platoon to circle around both flanks at once. Cut off any path for retreat and launch an assault. Ghost Path Hall is on the verge of collapse. We must seize them before the Ha Hu Clan reinforcements can intervene.”

“As you command.”

From the moment the Divine Demon Division Leader’s presence was suggested, Joo Seung Geon had been consumed by a thirst for retribution, eager to settle the score for his brother. He moved swiftly to organize his men.

Joo Seung Geon took command of half the unit and swept toward the left, while Suk Ji Hwang took charge of the remaining half to cover the right.

“Let us move.”

Sword Demon Dragon surged forward, followed closely by Ghost Soul Fist and Blood Tribulation Hand, the latter appearing increasingly manic, as if intoxicated by the imminent prospect of slaughter.

Tearing through the thick growth of reeds, they reached the heart of the conflict only to find a scene that had dissolved into total chaos in a matter of moments.

The prediction made by Suk Ji Hwang was accurate: Heuk Rang, the legendary wolf of the Divine Demon Division, was tearing through the fray with savage abandon. Nearby, Lightning Flash and So Surin were launching a relentless barrage of strikes. While Manchu and Gayu were fighting with everything they had, the sheer brilliance of the others made their efforts seem minor by comparison.

Sword Demon Dragon paused to evaluate the state of the battle.

The ranks of the Ghost Path Hall, which had started with more than a hundred fighters, had already been sliced in half, and those who remained were being cut down with terrifying speed.

Gok Seon, the Leader of Ghost Path Hall, along with two of his elders, were currently trapped in a desperate life-or-death struggle against a single opponent.

‘The Divine Demon Division Leader.’

Sword Demon Dragon knew it was Sima Geon the moment he saw him.

Even without seeing his features clearly, the oppressive pressure radiating from Sima Geon was unmistakable. He was convinced that no other living master in the martial world could project such an overwhelming aura.

Elsewhere, the other commanding figures of Ghost Path Hall were being hunted by a massive, powerful man, struggling simply to stay alive.

‘Diamond Yaksha.’

Sword Demon Dragon recognized Cheol Woo just as easily.

Then there was the final observer: an elderly man who stayed out of the direct fighting but carried a dark, heavy presence. Curiously, the old man, who held a long pipe between his teeth, seemed entirely preoccupied with the safety of a woman fighting under Sima Geon’s command. He watched her with the protective anxiety of a parent watching a child near a dangerous ledge.

“Diamond Yaksha belongs to me. I have long wanted to test the fabled durability of that man’s frame.”

Ghost Soul Fist tightened his grip, his fighting spirit beginning to surge.

“I feel the same.”

Blood Tribulation Hand Pyeong An fixed a murderous glare on Cheol Woo.

“In that case, we shall deal with the Divine Demon Division Leader.”

Sword Demon Dragon turned toward the three Protectors, offering a cold smile.

The Protectors attempted to keep their faces neutral, yet they could not fully mask the dread and tension that gripped them.

This was no common adversary; they were facing the Leader of the Divine Demon Division.

He was the pillar who had unified the factions of the demonic path, the man recognized as the Demon World’s Greatest Sword.

‘He was such a comfort when he fought on our side.’

Sword Demon Dragon felt a cold shiver run the length of his spine.

Yet, alongside that fear was a twisted sense of excitement—the thrill of challenging a legendary figure that caused his will to fight to soar toward the sky.

“Aaargh!”

A piercing cry rang out as the arm of Gok Seon, who had been struggling valiantly, was severed and sent tumbling through the air.

“Hall Leader!”

Jo Geun Saeng screamed in horror. He had been exhausting himself to protect Gok Seon and the honor of Ghost Path Hall, but he could no longer focus on his leader. Sima Geon’s blade, having already claimed Gok Seon’s limb, was whistling toward Jo Geun Saeng’s throat.

The path of the sword was impossible to read, and its velocity was beyond human reaction. Jo Geun Saeng clenched his teeth in a final effort.

Driven by pure survival instinct, he lashed out with his own weapon.

The sound of metal screaming against metal filled his ears, and a violent tremor vibrated through every bone in his body.

However, that clash was merely the opening note.

Once the offensive began, it was a merciless storm that allowed no pause for breath.

If he had been alone, Jo Geun Saeng would have fallen in less than three moves. He had only survived this long because of the combined efforts of Gok Seon and his fellow elder, but with Gok Seon crippled, that support was gone. Elder Gwan Hong had already collapsed, clutching his chest, before Gok Seon was even struck. While Jo Geun Saeng couldn’t see the extent of the wound, the fact that the man didn’t move suggested the injury was fatal.

“Guh!”

Jo Geun Saeng’s eyes bulged as a wave of agony hit him.

Looking down, he saw blood spraying from his side. Deep wounds had been carved into both of his thighs, and the strength was draining out of his legs.

‘This is where it ends.’

The intense struggle had lasted for barely twenty breaths. This was his first genuine encounter with the terrifying power of the Divine Demon Division Leader.

Jo Geun Saeng shut his eyes, waiting for the final blow—but for some reason, Sima Geon stopped his advance.

A sudden roar explained why.

Opening his eyes, Jo Geun Saeng saw Sword Demon Dragon engaging Sima Geon, with the three Protectors rushing in to join the fight.

“Grand Elder.”

Gok Seon stumbled toward him, his hand pressed against the stump of his shoulder.

He had tried to stop the bleeding with a makeshift bandage of torn fabric, but the red stain continued to grow.

“Are you still with us?”

“I am alive. And you, Grand Elder?”

“I am holding on, for now. But I fear for Gwan Hong.”

Jo Geun Saeng moved toward the motionless body of Gwan Hong and gathered him into his arms.

“What is the state of Elder Gwan?”

Gok Seon’s voice was thin and trembling. Jo Geun Saeng simply gave a slow, mournful shake of his head.

“To hell with this!”

Gok Seon squeezed his eyes shut in grief.

He had never harbored dreams of total domination. Ghost Path Hall lacked the resources for such things, and he had no interest in it. He had only wanted enough power to ensure they wouldn’t be bullied by others.

He had thought that by cutting off the Ha Hu Clan and taking the credit, he could secure their future.

It had all been going according to plan—until they ran into the one monster they should have avoided at all costs.

That nightmare of a man was currently being besieged by Sword Demon Dragon—one of the finest masters of the Heavenly Demon Cult—and three other elite warriors, yet he seemed perfectly at ease.

If anything, it was the attackers who looked distressed.

Their faces were red with frustration, and their coordination was beginning to falter.

Even these hardened killers, who had spent their lives in combat, felt the crushing weight of Sima Geon’s skill.

“Is this what it feels like to put your head in the mouth of a tiger?”

Jo Geun Saeng had no answer for Gok Seon. He could only watch as Sima Geon continued to dominate Sword Demon Dragon and the three Protectors despite their four-to-one advantage.

“Ugh!”

A choked sound left Cheol Woo’s throat.

With every step he was forced back, the earth beneath him cracked and shattered.

A flurry of blood-red hand shadows followed Cheol Woo’s every retreat.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The crimson strikes slammed into Cheol Woo’s torso with the sound of thunder, making him reel with every impact.

His Diamond Indestructibility, combined with the powerful protective barrier of Ink Gang Asura Qi, kept his body from being torn apart. However, the sheer force of the pushback was proof of the power behind the shadows.

Having found his rhythm, Blood Tribulation Hand Pyeong An doubled down on his assault, trying to crush Cheol Woo under the weight of his momentum.

But Pyeong An’s confidence was wavering.

The kinetic feedback from the Ink Gang Asura Qi was far more dangerous than he had anticipated, and Cheol Woo’s counter-strikes were lethal. If not for the timely interference of Ghost Soul Fist, Pyeong An might have been killed already; even a glancing blow felt like it could snap his bones.

“Haat!”

Cheol Woo let out a thunderous roar, and Pyeong An’s frantic offensive was shattered instantly by the power of the Overlord Sixteen Fists.

“You are finished!”

The cold, mocking smile on Cheol Woo’s face sent a wave of terror through Pyeong An.

At that moment, Ghost Soul Fist lunged at Cheol Woo from behind.

Cheol Woo’s expression shifted slightly.

Ghost Soul Fist’s style was far more aggravating than Pyeong An’s.

His hits were heavy, but the difficulty lay in how he masked his intentions.

He constantly blurred the line between feints and genuine attacks, cleverly slipping in Phantom Heavy Hand techniques—it reminded Cheol Woo of the irritating Poison Eagle Ghost Dog from his past.

“Fine. The old man goes first.”

Cheol Woo could likely have finished Pyeong An if he committed, but he decided it was more important to remove Ghost Soul Fist and his deceptive Phantom Heavy Hand first.

Moving with the ethereal grace of the Wind Shadow Step to dodge, Cheol Woo launched the Exploding Heaven Three Strikes.

“Bring it!”

Ghost Soul Fist yelled, meeting the attack with his own power.

Apocalypse Ghostfire Fist—the legendary technique that had brought Ghost Soul Fist from obscurity to his current high rank.

Vivid, hellish flames erupted from his knuckles.

Cheol Woo struck again and again, his hands releasing alternating currents of destructive energy.

The forces of Exploding Heaven Fall and Exploding Heaven Thunder were unleashed almost as one.

Ghost Soul Fist refused to back down, linking the Ninefold Phantom and Eight Wastelands Thunder techniques of the Apocalypse Ghostfire Fist in response.

‘Hm.’

Ghost Soul Fist’s eyes widened slightly.

A sharp, vibrating shock traveled from his fist up through his arm.

As he hesitated, momentarily stunned by the electrical discharge, Cheol Woo’s next strike landed.

Ghost Soul Fist countered once more with Soul-Shattering Strike, the most devastating of the nine ultimate forms of the Apocalypse Ghostfire Fist.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Amidst a series of ground-shaking detonations, Cheol Woo’s massive frame began to move with terrifying speed.

His legs, pushed to the peak of Wind Shadow Step, became invisible to the eye, and the sequence of attacks that followed was a blur of lethal precision.

The raw force radiating from Cheol Woo’s fists began to break Ghost Soul Fist down.

Panic set in for Ghost Soul Fist as he realized the power of the strikes was actually increasing with every exchange. He tried to pivot, attempting to parry and redirect the force rather than meeting it directly—but Cheol Woo gave him no such opportunity.

Ten Directions Thunder, Meteor Fist Strike, Ink Cloud Radiance—he unleashed the Heaven Shattering Nine Wall Fists in a brutal chain.

Faced with the supreme martial art of the Great Force Demon Lord, the man who had once challenged the Heavenly Demon himself, Ghost Soul Fist was completely outmatched.

The violence of their encounter was so absolute that Blood Tribulation Hand Pyeong An couldn’t find a moment to jump in—until he saw that Ghost Soul Fist was about to be killed.

Pyeong An threw himself forward, utilizing the Blood Shadow Demon Wheel Hand at its maximum potential, but Cheol Woo at his full limit was a force of nature.

A single counter-move wiped out the red hand shadows that filled the air, sending Pyeong An tumbling backward. His hands were crushed so badly they no longer resembled human limbs.

Cheol Woo did not let up.

Intending to end the fight, he pursued the staggering Pyeong An.

Ghost Soul Fist tried to intercept, but his internal organs were badly damaged, and his strength had faded. Cheol Woo ignored the hits to his own body and drove his fist toward Pyeong An’s head.

Pyeong An threw up his broken arms in a desperate attempt to guard, but it was useless against Cheol Woo’s raw physical power.

“Krah!”

A sickening scream erupted from Pyeong An’s throat.

His guarding arms were shattered, and his skull, taking the full brunt of the impact, was partially crushed.

Like a bird with broken wings, Pyeong An hit the ground, his chest jerking several times before he became still forever.

Cheol Woo turned back, his breathing heavy and ragged.

“Ghost Soul Fist, it is your turn.”

His face was terrifying enough to make most men collapse, and now, drenched in fresh blood, he looked like a literal demon from the abyss.

A dry, bitter laugh escaped Ghost Soul Fist.

“You absolute monster.”

Ghost Soul Fist realized that the name Diamond Yaksha was not an exaggeration—it was a literal description.